WAANSA, AFAN Seek Tinubu's Intervention on Fertiliser Control, Farmers' Security

The West Africa Action Network on Small arms (WAANSA) has urged for stronger collaboration with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) to tackle the misuse of fertilisers and growing border insecurity. WAANSA's Regional 1st Vice President, Martin Igwe, made the call during a visit to AFAN's leadership. The associations expressed concerns about the potential misuse of certain nitrogen-based fertiliser compounds, such as ammonium nitrate, and the abuse of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) free movement protocol.

The misuse of fertilisers and uncontrolled cross-border activities have contributed to farmer-herder conflicts, banditry and other threats to rural communities. These challenges have forced many farmers away from their farmlands, disrupting agricultural activities and contributing to declining local food production and worsening food insecurity. WAANSA and AFAN stressed that addressing these challenges requires collective action involving farmers, security agencies, government institutions and other stakeholders across Nigeria and West Africa.

Nigeria has over 42 million agricultural households, with smallholder farmers playing a significant role in national food production. Their protection and participation are essential to achieving food security. WAANSA plans to begin nationwide stakeholder engagements in Kano State, starting with mobilising farmers and stakeholders against fertiliser misuse and border insecurity. The association also plans to write to President Bola Tinubu, seeking the declaration of an annual National Farming Week to promote agricultural activities and encourage youth participation.

The proposed National Farming Week initiative aims to create economic opportunities and strengthen farming as a sustainable strategy for addressing insecurity. WAANSA's doors remain open to receiving farmers' complaints and challenges for onward presentation to relevant government authorities. AFAN's National President, Hon. Muhammad Magaji Gettado, welcomed the initiative, describing the proposed collaboration as a timely and strategic intervention in Nigeria's agricultural and security challenges.

Gettado commended WAANSA for recognising the connection between farmers' safety, responsible fertiliser management, border security and national food security. He stressed that protecting farmers is not merely an agricultural responsibility but a national security priority requiring commitment from governments, security institutions, agricultural associations and communities. Gettado emphasised that Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable food security while farmers face threats to their lives, farmlands, agricultural inputs and investments.

The AFAN president supported WAANSA's proposed nationwide engagements, noting that farmers' participation in security discussions would help government agencies understand the realities confronting rural communities and develop practical solutions. Gettado also welcomed the proposed National Farming Week, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate farmers, promote agricultural investment and draw national attention to the importance of agriculture in reducing unemployment, tackling rural poverty and engaging vulnerable youths.

The proposed partnership between WAANSA and AFAN aims to strengthen farmers' advocacy, promote responsible agricultural input management and encourage coordinated efforts towards safer farming communities and improved food production across Nigeria. Gettado assured WAANSA of AFAN's readiness to work with relevant stakeholders in advancing policies and practical measures that would protect farmers, improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.

Key points

• WAANSA and AFAN are seeking President Bola Tinubu's intervention to address fertiliser misuse and border insecurity affecting agricultural productivity and food security in Nigeria.
• The associations propose a nationwide stakeholder engagement and the declaration of an annual National Farming Week to promote agricultural activities and encourage youth participation.
• The partnership aims to strengthen farmers' advocacy, promote responsible agricultural input management and encourage coordinated efforts towards safer farming communities and improved food production.